It was alleged that the man raped the girl at about 3 pm on Saturday, July 28 at Zangwa village. "It is not clear if the alleged rape took place at the home of the suspect or of the victim. Butterworth police acted swiftly once the case was registered," Manatha said.

Butterworth policing cluster commander Brigadier Ngangema Xakavu condemned the alleged rape of the toddler by a "person who was supposed to protect her". He congratulated the police officers on a rapid response in tracing and arresting the alleged perpetrator.

The man would appear in the Butterworth Magistrate's Court on Tuesday on a rape charge, Manatha said.